MAY 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 45
FAMILY & EDUCATION
ACTS OF KINDNESS
FRIENDS FOREVER: DE LA SALLE SCHOOL BUDDIES
By JOAN HOPE MACNAUGHTON
The word "buddy" is defined in the
dictionary as a close friend, someone
you spend time with and can count
on. But at the De La Salle School in
Freeport, the word means much
more.
When 10-year-old Stanley had to
change schools, it was daunting. He
had to leave a familiar place and good
friends. When he arrived at the De
La Salle School he met John. John has
been a buddy to Stanley throughout
the 2018-2019 school year. John and
his De la Salle 8th-grade gentlemen
classmates use the peer-to-peer buddy
program to share their experience
with adjustment and growth with
Stanley and his 5th-grade classmates.
"John is like a brother to me, because
we joke around and do foolish things,”
Stanley says. “John is competitive but
very kind. He looks out for me and
shows me the ropes."
Left to right: De La Salle School buddies John and Stanley.
Buddies are carefully chosen and
share experiences to help start conversations
and build a successful and
mentoring relationship with their
younger schoolmates. Relationships
are built through shared hobbies and
activities.
One special opportunity is the weekly
buddy lunch, in which students
come together to talk about their
week and challenges and to celebrate
their successes.
"I remember when I was a 5th grader,
I had a buddy to look up to,” John says.
“I remember one day when I was feeling
down, my buddy took the time to
cheer me up. I knew what I needed to
do for my buddy!
“I looked out for Stanley, giving him
advice, especially when he was having
a hard time with his classmates,”
he continues. “This experience has
helped me become a better person,
as I was able to interact and help
someone else."
John will be attending Kellenberg
Memorial High School in Uniondale
next fall. The lessons he learned and
the experiences he gained from the
buddy program will help him manage
his transition from being a De La
Salle gentleman to being a high school
student.
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